Two Abbott HIV drug ads misleading, FDA says

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Two Abbott Laboratories Inc. promotions for its HIV-fighting drug Kaletra exaggerated benefits and left out information about life-threatening safety risks, U.S. regulators charged in a letter made public on Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration ordered the company to stop circulating the advertisements immediately. One ran in POZ, a magazine aimed at people with HIV, and another was posted in restrooms, the FDA said.

"These promotional pieces overstate the effectiveness of Kaletra and omit ... material information about the risks associated with Kaletra,” the FDA wrote in a letter that was dated Oct. 29 and posted on the agency’s Web site.

Officials at Abbott did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The FDA said both promotions implied Kaletra could help patients with HIV, which causes AIDS, stay healthy for five years.

Each ad featured pictures of a man looking healthy and captions indicating the images were taken over a four- or five-year period. Text on the ads asked “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and urged patients to discuss Kaletra with their doctors.

The ads were misleading because Kaletra was approved based on studies lasting 48 weeks and 72 weeks, the FDA said.

“FDA is not aware of substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience to support claims of survival, good health, undetectable HIV (blood) levels and disease control for five years,” the agency said.

The ads also failed to mention potential side effects, which can include life-threatening interactions with other drugs, the FDA said.

The promotions were reviewed as part of the FDA’s routine monitoring of drug maker advertisements, the agency said.

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